PHILADELPHIA SECTION AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS Web site: http://www.asce-philly.org National ASCE Central Number 1-800-548-ASCE • Toll Free

The Sidney Robin Memorial Newsletter of the Philadelphia Section ASCE th Vol. 91-7 Our 106 Year­­ March 2019 SECTION MEETING MARCH DINNER MEETING SCHEDULE 2018-19 THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 – WINDING DOWN… Maggiano’s Little Italy, 1201 Filbert Street (corner of 12th Street), Center City Hard to believe, and time indeed flies… The last Cocktails 5:30 pm, Dinner 6:30 pm, Meeting Presentation 7:30 pm two Section meetings of this season are upon us and SUBJECT: Walt Whitman Bridge: Painting Suspension Span and Tower Project information on each is provided under separate SPEAKERS: Michael Venuto, Chief Engineer, Delaware River Authority (DRPA) and headings for these announcements. There is one Steven Bisch, Project Manager, JMT remaining Section event in our “look-ahead” sched- ule, the Spring Social. Decisions are still being RESERVATION DEADLINE – MONDAY, MARCH 11. The cost per attendee is $40, with a finalized and more information will be provided in half-price ($20) cost for government agency employees and students, for reservations received by the April edition of THE NEWS. this deadline. Reservations can be made through our website (www.asce-philly.org) and paid via PayPal or by BEANNACHTAÍ NA FÉILE check. This option will NOT be available after the reservation deadline. Checks, made payable to PÁDRAIG!* “Philadelphia Section ASCE”, will be accepted at the reservation table at the door as an option to electronic payment. Reservations received after the deadline and “walk-ups” without prior reserva- It doesn’t seem like it should be that time tions paying at the door will be charged $50 (government agency employees and students will be already again, but the “great day for the Irish”, as charged the regular $20 rate), and will be subject to acceptance on a space-available/standby basis. the song goes, will be here shortly. And, to cite Our “express” check-in process will be in place for those who reserve and pay via PayPal. Please that great day, we at THE NEWS have provided print your paper ticket when you reserve and bring the ticket with you. This will allow you to enter our annual “Lightly Amusing Message from the meeting room and bypass the registration table. Eire” (also know as LAME) for your enjoyment All registrations are final. Due to commitments with our event venues, cancellations or no-shows for St. Pat’s Day. will be invoiced for the full cost of the event. Registrants are able to transfer their registrations to As you may recall, given the lack of response others without penalty. to contests for this and our Lightly Amusing THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE IF YOU DO NOT Yuletide Message (LAYM) for the Christmas RESERVE A SPACE. Walk-ins and anyone without a reservation will be handled on a space- season, the staff of THE NEWS made an available basis. executive decision to no longer conduct such Continued on Page 2 efforts. The consequence of this action is that we are forced to hand the creative pen to your Editor to come up with something. And this is something APRIL DINNER MEETING that always sends a little shiver up our spines, as we never really know where he’s going to go THURSDAY, APRIIL 18, 2019 with that. The Inn at Villanova, (formerly the Villanova Conference Center), County Line Road, Radnor, PA And it appears he put his otherwise-idle time Cocktails 5:30 pm, Dinner 6:30 pm, Meeting 7:30 pm spent on trains or with “inspiration” (i.e. beer) Following the pattern established nine years ago, this meeting will consist of a dinner with sub- close by to crank out the message below. Unlike sequent “breakout” sessions on three separate topics. More information will be provided in the last year (and the year before, since last year’s April edition of THE NEWS. was a rerun of the previous one), there is no need for your handy-dandy Gaelic-English dictionary. We hope you enjoy this year’s LAME. SCIENCE FAIRS COMING UP — LOOKING FOR JUDGES A green speck in the ocean As we have for many years, our Section will be your day (approximately 8 am to 3 pm) at the Fairs, The fabled Emerald Isle offering Special Awards at the Delaware Valley examining and short listing possible projects in the The place many look back to Science Fairs. The Fairs will be conducted on morning and then interviewing the students who With a smile Wednesday, April 3 at the Greater Philadelphia assembled them and finalizing the selections in the Though many of us Expo Center in Oaks. Four Special Awards for afternoon. It is always a very interesting and Trace roots to that place individual student projects that have a Civil enlightening experience. And some say we wear Engineering theme will be awarded, with two If you are interested in being a Special Awards Its map on our face prizes for Grades 6 through 8 and two for Grades 9 judge please contact Chris Rood at crood@ through 12. drjtbc.org. You will also need to register for this We may have never been Volunteer judges are needed for this effort. The and this can be done through the Fairs’ website On the old sod Continued on Page 3 judging will require you to spend most, if not all, of www.dvsf.org. Page 2 THE NEWS March 2019

ASCE, PHILADELPHIA SECTION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF The Engineers Club of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley Engineers DIRECTION — 2018-19 SEASON Week Committee outdid themselves this year and are to be commended for organizing an outstanding, informative, and above all inspirational Opening PRESIDENT Ceremony on the evening of February 14th at the DoubleTree Philadelphia Angelo Waters, Urban Engineers, Inc. Hotel. The format was shaken up a bit from prior years as the kick-off was PRESIDENT ELECT moved to an evening event from its normal early afternoon timeslot. Kazi M. Hassan, Pennoni Associates, Inc. As the representative of our Society, I, along with Jennifer Reigle (Section VICE PRESIDENT Treasurer and contributor to the Bridge section of the Report Card), had the opportunity to share Troy Illig, WSP the findings and message of our 2018 Pennsylvania Report Card (PARC) on Infrastructure. SECRETARY Dozens of attendees stopped by our and engaged in dialogue on many of the 18 Briana Earle, Langan Engineering PARC categories. I was particularly impressed by the students who weighed in on the discussion & Environmental Services and provided their input and perspective on the issues highlighted in the PARC. And this was just ASSISTANT SECRETARY in the first networking hour….. Caroline “Cricket” Slattery, From there I moved into the main dining and ceremony room and had the good fortune of Advantage Engineers choosing a table with two scholarship/student paper award winners from Widener University. TREASURER Megan Cullison was the recipient of the Pennoni/John Morrison Memorial Scholarship and Joel Jennifer Reigle, Pennoni Associates, Inc. Given was the recipient of the DVEW/ASCE Undergraduate Scholarship and also recognized for ASSISTANT TREASURER his student paper on Maximum Shear Modulus of Coarse Grained Soil Mixtures (maybe not as Joseph Natale, DVRPC brow-raising as converting brewery/winery wastes into biofuels, but impressive in its own right). MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY It was great talking to these two students, but what hit home with me the most was talking with Mohamed Elghawy, Traffic Planning their respective parents and seeing the pure joy and proudness on their faces. Congrats to Megan & Design, Inc. and Joel and the entire slate of student award winners and their families. DIRECTORS I know many of you were there, but if you weren’t, you missed out on a treat provided by the Andrew Bechtel, College of New Jersey, 2017-19 Emcee, Bob Wright, the Keynote Speaker, WHYY’s Ed Cunningham, and this year’s Young Kevin Brown, Vaughan Buckley Construction, 2017-19 Engineer and Engineer of the Year, Eleanor F. Small, PhD and Section Life Member John J. Spencer Finch, Langan Engineering & Environmental Sciences, 2018-20 Peirce, Jr, PE. Bob commanded the night with his wit and uncanny ability to make otherwise Joseph Natale, DVRPC, 2018-20 mundane moments into audience-wide smiles and laughter. Ed brought a unique perspective on Nha Truong, Ernst & Young, 2018-20 how Engineering is woven into the fabric of our City; from stories of Connie Mack Stadium, to Jeanien Wilson, Phila. Dept. of Streets, 2017-19 the former Broad Street Station at City Hall, to spaces unknown beneath our feet and some in plain PAST PRESIDENTS* sight (Ben Franklin Bridge Anchorages). The night ended with Eleanor and John each providing Cathy Farrell, HNTB inspirational speeches focusing on their passion for the Engineering profession and the importance Guy DiMartino, Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. of mentoring and igniting the fire in our younger and aspiring Engineers. AnnMarie L. Vigilante, Langan Engineering & Environmental Sciences Yes it was Valentine’s night, and I went stag, but the inspiration and stories I was able to bring * In accordance with our Constitution and Bylaws, only back to my wife and family truly showed my LOVE for Engineering and those that make in their the immediate Past President will serve on the Board, and mission to keep it in the forefront. Happy Delaware Valley Engineers Week! only for a one-year term. We show the most recent three Past Presidents as has become our tradition. Best, We wish these brave and generous folks our Angelo J. Waters, PE, LEED® AP collective good luck for the coming season. President, ASCE Philadelphia Section [email protected] | 215-284-3161 President — Angelo J. Waters, PE Vice President Mr. Venuto is the Chief Engineer for the MARCH MEETING Urban Engineers Inc. Continued from Page 1 Delaware River Port Authority, the owner and 530 Walnut Street As always, guests will be welcome to attend operator of the Walt Whitman Bridge as well as Philadelphia, PA 19106 the presentation without dinner at no charge. three other major Delaware River crossings and 215-922-8081 x1273 This will be subject to room capacity constraints. the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO). [email protected] ACCESS AND PARKING: Maggiano’s is a short Mr. Bisch is a Project Manager with JMT. Secretary — Briana Earle, PE walk from SEPTA’s Jefferson station Senior Staff Engineer Langan Engineering and Environmental Services and a half-block from routes, the Subway- THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS PO Box 1569 Surface Trolleys and the Market-Frankford Line on We thank those firms who have made the Doylestown, PA 18901-0219 Market Street. There is a parking garage directly (215) 451-6500 financial commitment to Section Sponsorship for above the restaurant for which validation can be [email protected] this season. The business cards of these 15 firms offered for a reduced price. are included in the sponsor section of THE Join us to learn about Walt Whitman Bridge NEWS. Sponsor logos are also displayed in a PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE (WWB) Painting Suspension Span & Tower special Sponsors section of our website. Through Editor of THE NEWS Robert Wright project. You will get to hear different perspective a click on the particular sponsor’s logo, we Editorial Assistants from the Owners, Designers and Construction provide direct links to its own website so Managers. The project was performed in a colla- Lindsay Chateauvert, Assunta Daprano prospective employees can review all available Section Outreach Coordinator borative manner and JMT led the effort to ensure and up-to-date positions being offered by that Briana Earle quality work was delivered. The project was firm. Sponsors can additionally provide a profile SEND COPY TO: completed on-budget, and on-time. Work included article in THE NEWS (see one of these elsewhere ASCE, c/o Urban Engineers, Inc. the full blasting and painting of towers and in this edition). 530 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 suspension spans and structural repairs throughout. If you have an interest in joining our sponsor- The entire structure received a 3-coat paint system ship program, please contact Bob Wright at COPY DEADLINE FOR consisting of zinc prime coat, intermediate coat and [email protected] for more details. APRIL 2019 ISSUE MARCH 15, 2019 a final coat of urethane paint. March 2019 THE NEWS Page 3

YOUNGER MEMBER FORUM NEWS proved to be the victor. A big thank you to the BEANNACHTAÍ NA FÉILE PÁDRAIG! Presentation BVM School and Joan Schroeder Continued from Page 1 Sean McCreesh, Forum Editor for hosting us and all the volunteers for Eammon Farley, Forum President 2018-19 But say its name participating. If you are interested in volunteering Michael Baker International And we’ll still nod at similar events, please contact YMF K-12 [email protected] And think of those outreach at [email protected] Who left things behind EASTERN REGIONAL YOUNGER MEMBER to get on our volunteer list! For a better place COUNCIL STEPPINGSTONE SCHOLARS Which wasn’t always kind JANUARY 25-26 FEBRUARY 2 YMF sent nine members of its Board, as well But on Saint Pat’s feast YMF continued its K-12 outreach efforts with as one Past President, to this year’s Eastern We’ll raise a toast a visit to Steppingstone Scholars in North Regional Younger Member Council (ERYMC) To those who sailed Philadelphia. Volunteers Caroline Voigtsberger, at the Multi-Region Leadership Conference From its fields and coast Brett Cutler, Egla (MRLC) in Orlando, FL. This contingent We remember those Qori, Kaitlin Vacca, included Eammon Farley, Katrina Lawrence, Who left unwilling Clay Sublett, Char- Dennis Wilson, Joe Natale, Nick Kirn, John For a better life lie Mumford, Joe Doyle, Lindsay Chateauvert, Kirsten Brown, Maybe more fulfilling Natale, and Jake Jesse Gormley (who also served as a Sheridan met with representative and presenter for the Committee And our ancestors would nearly 100 students on Younger Members), and Past President Kevin Be proud to know in 5th through 8th Brown (who also served as a representative and That their successors helped grade to participate in a variety of hands-on presenter for the Committee on Student Members Make their new country grow Engineering activities. Students learned about at the Workshop for Student Chapter Leaders). That the risk they took structures while towers out of a deck of The conference was a great experience and To pull up stakes cards, Environmental Engineering while cleaning included breakout sessions, keynote speakers, And move to a land up a miniature oil spill, and teamwork and design technical presentations, and multiple networking Where no one had driven out the snakes while building foil boats and wind powered cars. opportunities. During the annual ERYMC A big thank you to Steppingstone Scholars for On March 17 we salute Awards Banquet, YMF won a total of four hosting us and all the volunteers for participating. Those no longer here awards, including Outstanding Younger If you are interested in volunteering at similar In true Irish fashion Member Group Project for its Habitat for events, please contact YMF K-12 outreach at We’ll raise up our beer Humanity event, Outstanding Younger Member [email protected] to get on our And look at we’ve done in Government Relations (Joe Natale), volunteer list! The time we’ve been here Outstanding Young Civil Engineer in the Public As we hold the old sod Sector (Katrina Lawrence), and Outstanding YMF WINTER SOCIAL Very close and very dear. Practitioner Advisor (Scott Cepietz). As the host FEBRUARY 4 for ERYMC in 2020, Philadelphia will be YMF once again hosted the annual Winter Complaints and outrages can be registered at our responsible to lead the annual ERYMC Business Social at McGillin’s Olde Ale House. In its more website (keep in mind your Editor can get away Meeting, held during the conference; Joe Natale than 20th year, the event was another great with this, given his allegedly mainly-Irish and Kevin Brown acted as the meeting Chair and success with over 170 local, Young Engineers heritage). Secretary, respectively. The Council voted to (including some young at heart) in attendance for And... pass two important resolutions that will benefit a night of networking, food, drink, and fun. *Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig! (ban ochth’ thee na younger members in the future, one of which was fay’le paw’ drig) – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! drafted by YMF members. PRESENTATION BVM SCHOOL ON JANUARY 29 I INFRASTRUCTURE DENVER’S TALL PARTLY TO BLAME FOR A-LINE, G-LINE PROBLEMS, RTD TELLS FEDS Denver’s recent runaway growth, with high rises going up at a record pace, is one of the main As part of the event, the YMF also held its culprits in its Regional Transportation District’s annual charity raffle. Fueled by donations from ongoing issues with the metro area’s commuter over 30 local Engineering companies, the raffle rail network. In an action plan submitted to raised more than $4,000 to benefit local non- federal regulators in December, it was noted that profit organizations and STEM initiatives, such Denver’s rising skyline around Union Station YMF continued its K-12 outreach for the 2018- as the Future City competition, Friends of the regularly blocks GPS signals the system relies on 19 school year with a visit to Presentation BVM Wissahickon, and Life Do Grow farm, among to keep the A-Line, another route, School in Cheltenham. K-12 Outreach Chair others. running smoothly and safely. A software patch Assunta Daprano was joined by volunteers The YMF would like to extend its sincerest for that issue is coming soon, along with solutions Danielle Schroeder, and alumnus of BVM, and thanks to all of our donors for their continued to other factors in the crossing gate problems, Brian Farina. The volunteers presented to 3rd, support, as well as to everyone who came out to according to the plan. 4th and 5th grade classes and discussed the path the event and support the YMF in other ways RTD says it is ready to open the long-delayed to Civil Engineering and the various sub- throughout the year. We could not do it without G-Line, another commuter rail route, to Denver’s disciplines. The students then constructed mobile you! western suburbs in the first quarter of 2019 if the cars out of lifesavers, straws, tape and paper. Federal Railroad Administration accepts its action Upon completion, the students raced against each plan. In this plan, RTD asked that the feds grant the other. The 3rd grade class, shown in the photo, Continued on Page 4 Page 4 THE NEWS March 2019 FEBRUARY LUNCHEON MEETING February 21, 2019 Urban Engineers, Center City N-ASCE* Ethics – Panel Discussion WHY SMART PEOPLE NEVER BRING by Robert Wright, Editor SMARTPHONES INTO MEETINGS For our February meeting we switched things everyone to the meeting and started things off You are annoying your boss and colleagues up slightly, going with a luncheon format instead with introductions. Mr. Wright gave an overview any time you take your phone out during of our usual dinner. About 40 Section members of ethics and asked the attendees to participate in meetings, says research from USC’s Marshall (and this was a members-only event, another an online poll of what word they might associate School of Business, and if you work with women change from the usual) came to the training cen- with ethics, with a resulting “menti” word cloud and people over forty they’re even more ter at Urban Engineers in Center City to partici- developed to show the most popular outcomes of perturbed by it than everyone else. pate in a panel discussion of ethics over a nice this exercise. The panel reviewed a number of The researchers conducted a nationwide survey lunch. The panel was moderated by Past Section topics and offered their respective views and of 554 full-time working professionals earning President Bob Wright, a Project Manager at perspectives on several examples and case stud- above $30K and working in companies with at McMahon Associates, and consisted of represen- ies that were presented. It was noted several least 50 employees. They asked a variety of tatives of the public and private sectors as well as times that ethics often could create a dilemma as questions about smartphone use during meetings an attorney. Elaine Elbich, I-95 Program/ the clear-cut decision on what is right and what and found: Portfolio Manager at PennDOT District 6 carried is wrong is often not that clear-cut. Bringing in • 86% think it’s inappropriate to answer phone the public agency “torch”. Matt Marquardt, the varied and extensive background and knowl- calls during meetings Senior Vice President of Urban Engineers, han- edge of the panelists, a handful of situations were • 84% think it’s inappropriate to write texts or dled the private sector perspective. Mike reviewed in which the panelists responded as to emails during meetings Zettlemoyer of BN&M Attorneys at Law, who “what would you do” and what the expected • 66% think it’s inappropriate to write texts or is a practicing Attorney as well as an Engineer, outcome and possible repercussions might be. emails even during lunches offsite kept things on the proverbial straight and narrow A lively question and answer session ensued. • The more money people make the less they and offered the legal view of things. President Waters thanked the panel for its approve of smartphone use. Section President Angelo Waters welcomed efforts and closed the meeting. The study also found that Millennials are three times more likely than those over 40 to think that ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ENGINEERS WEEK smartphone use during meetings is okay, which We hope you participated in Engineers Week event. The Young Engineers Social, conducted at is ironic considering Millennials are highly this year. In case you missed it, it was celebrated Ladder 15 in Center City on February 19, was dependent upon the opinions of their older col- locally from Thursday, February 14 (also known similarly well attended with over 60 participants. leagues for career advancement. to some as Valentine’s Day) through Saturday, As we know, the completion of this year’s TalentSmart has tested the emotional intelli- February 23. While nationally it is observed events only kicks off the planning for next year’s. gence of more than a million people worldwide starting on February 16, locally we extended it DVEWC, a committee of the Engineers’ Club of and found that Millennials have the lowest self- two days to work for our events. Philadelphia, is always in need of volunteers to awareness in the workplace, making them The Delaware Valley Engineers Week assist in many of the activities surrounding unlikely to see that their smartphone use in meet- Committee (DVEWC) events were popular and Engineers Week. DVEWC has a need for your ings is harming their careers. successful, as usual. These included two main talents and skills in several diverse areas. If you Why do so many people—especially success- celebrations this time around as something are interested in volunteering or would like ful people—find smartphone use in meetings to different was tried — the Opening Ceremony/ information on volunteer opportunities, please be inappropriate? When you take out your phone Dinner, to kick off E Week, was held at the visit our website at www.dvewc.org. it shows a: DoubleTree Philadelphia Hotel on February 14. Congratulations to our Engineer of the Year, • Lack of respect. You consider the information Section Member John Peirce was formally John Peirce, as well as the 2019 Young Delaware on your phone to be more important than the introduced as the 2019 Delaware Valley Valley Engineer of the Year, Eleanor Small! conversation at hand, and you view people Engineer of the Year at the Ceremony, which More information on the award recipients and outside of the meeting to be more important drew over 170 attendees. Section Member Leo student prize/scholarships awarded is available at than those sitting right in front of you. Leonetti was additionally honored with the www.engrclub.org. • Lack of attention. You are unable to stay Outstanding Service to Engineering Award at this focused on one thing at a time. • Lack of listening. You aren’t practicing active I ON INFRASTRUCTURE RTD also spoke to the need to reduce “PTC cut listening, so no one around you feels heard. Continued from Page 3 outs,” which occurs when the GPS signal for • Lack of power. You are like a modern-day G-Line the same waiver to operate that two other positive train control is lost. It said the number of Pavlovian dog who responds to the whims of lines received more than two years ago. The high rises built near Union Station “has impacted others through the buzz of your phone. G-Line was originally supposed to open in October reception of GPS signal in the platform area” and • Lack of self-awareness: You don’t understand 2016. “Further delay in opening the G-Line would that it takes two minutes to reconnect with the how ridiculous your behavior looks to other be an undue burden to the public and other com- GPS signal once the cut out occurs. The solution people. munity stakeholders,” RTD noted to the FRA. to the cut outs, RTD said, is coming shortly with • Lack of social awareness: You don’t understand RTD officials also asked the FRA to “expedite a software upgrade provided by one of its sub- how your behavior affects those around you. its review and decisions” about granting quiet contractors. It’s important to be clear with what you expect of zone status at crossings on all three lines, a The metro area’s new commuter rail system others. If sharing this article with your team doesn’t designation that would allow trains to no longer carried its first passengers with the opening of the end smartphone use in meetings, take a page out of have to blow their horns dozens of times a day. A-Line between Union Station and Denver the Old West and put a basket by the conference But first, RTD acknowledged that it has work to International in April 2016. The B-Line, a room door with an image of a smart phone and the do at the 11 at-grade crossings on the A-Line and 6.2-mile spur to Westminster, opened a few message, “Leave your guns at the door.” the 16 crossings on the G-Line. The problem months later. But progress on the G-Line stalled Thanks to TalentSmart for this information. centers on a novel wireless signaling system that out as problems with the timing of the A-Line’s *N-ASCE – Not always something concerning Engineering… can keep gates in the closed position too long. Continued on Page 6 March 2019 THE NEWS Page 5

SPONSORS IN THE NEWS PARC CATEGORY OF THE TPD CELEBRATES MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY: MONTH: STORMWATER Our recently-released Pennsylvania Report 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS Card (PARC) assessed and graded 18 categories of infrastructure. We will provide a summary of one category each edition in upcoming issues of THE NEWS. Up this month, stormwater.

STORMWATER Direct Stormwater Runoff Pollution Mostly to Blame for a Whopping 19,000 Miles of Our Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. (TPD), an Transportation Engineers and their partners and Rivers and Streams Designated as “Impaired” by award-winning transportation engineering firm clients. Working to maintain the safety and PADEP in 2016. serving the eastern United States, is pleased to capacity of local transportation infrastructure is EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: While generally announce its 30th anniversary in business. TPD’s primary focus and every member of the performing adequately for higher-frequency Founded in April 1989 in a remodeled three- organization contributes to this cause. As such, lower-intensity rainfall events, the age of much story colonial house located in Oaks, TPD began TPD takes pride in the infrastructure of Pennsylvania’s stormwater infrastructure with six employees, and over the last 30 years improvements the firm has planned, designed, exceeds 100 years, and needs on-going repairs, has grown into 10 strategically located offices and inspected throughout its history which replacement, and capacity upgrades. There is throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland benefit local residents and economies by creating also a lack of easily accessible critical information and North Carolina. TPD’s priority on organic, solutions for modern transportation needs. relating to the size, condition, capacity, and sustainable company growth has enabled the Through the years, TPD has prioritized work- capital needs of all public and privately-owned firm to develop and maintain its staff of highly- life balance for its staff. The firm’s ever-evolving stormwater assets. Sources of funding for these qualified professionals whose contribution to flexibility and family-friendly policies have been much-needed improvements are not consistently infrastructure, workforce, and economic develop- essential in cultivating an atmosphere in which available for municipalities across the ment has earned the firm merit on local, regional employees can thrive professionally without Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Municipal and national levels. sacrificing essential personal or family obliga- Authorities Act was amended in 2013 by Act 68 One of TPD’s most prestigious accomplishments tions, which, in turn, has produced retention rates to permit the creation of stormwater authorities, to date is the firm’s continuous recognition as a in the upper 10% of all Engineering firms. and Act 62 was signed into law in June 2016 nationally-ranked Best Place To Work. TPD has The firm operates out of Pennsylvania offices authorizing second class townships to create consistently ranked among the Best Civil in Pottstown, Philadelphia, West Chester, Bethle- stormwater utilities. Several other legislative Engineering Firms To Work For in the U.S. (#17 hem, Doylestown, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, a bills are currently in the Pennsylvania Senate, in 2018, Zweig Group), as well as among New Jersey office on the Camden Waterfront, a and if enacted, will further empower local engineering partners and competitors as an Maryland office in Elkton, and a North Carolina governments to apply a stormwater use-based outstanding firm by business journals, the office in Asheville. TPD’s team of professionals revenue system to fun the operation, maintenance National Committee for Employer Support of the specialize in Transportation Planning & and upgrades of stormwater assets. Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for the support of Permitting; Multimodal, Complete Streets & COMPELLING STATISTIC: Approximately our troops, and by local organizations for efforts Trail Design; Bridge Design & Inspection; 19,000 miles of rivers and streams were in sustainability, professional development and Traffic Signal & System Design; Environmental designated by the PADEP in 2016, as impaired other achievements. This year is the firm’s fourth Services & Permitting; Construction Management for water supply, aquatic life, recreation, or fish appearance on Inc. magazine’s Inc. 5,000 List of & Inspection; Highway Design; Transportation consumption, with stormwater runoff pollution the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Systems Management & Operations; and Expert estimated to be one of the major contributors to America. Witness Support for Crash Investigations for a this impairment. Over the past few years, TPD President and diverse range of clients in both the public and Please visit www.pareportcard.org for more founder, Kevin Johnson, PE, has dedicated private sectors. information on this and how you can inform your himself to advancing the state of the industry for elected officials on actions that should be considered to address this. Irish Blessings — ASCE VISION Civil Engineers are global leaders building a May your pockets be heavy better quality of life. and your heart be light, ASCE MISSION Provide essential value to our members and may good luck pursue you partners, advance Civil Engineering, and each morning and night. serve the public good. Page 6 THE NEWS March 2019

Providing transportation SECTION COMMITTEES engineering and related services Our current Committees and chairs are pro- across the eastern United States vided below. If you have an interest in helping Offices located in PA, NJ, MD, and NC and/or would like to join a Committee, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our Section Secretary, Briana Earle (contact information is provided on page 2). Moving Forward Together®

ASCE PA Report Card Promotion – 215.622.2525 www.TrafficPD.com Cricket Slattery Audit – Kazi Hassan Awards (includes Engineers Week Hall of Fame Recognition) – Bob Wright We Make a Difference Budget and Finance – Jen Reigle Civil Engineers in Government – Jeanien Wilson Proud to celebrate 20 years College Scholarship – Andrew Bechtel in the Delaware Valley Region Communications (includes E-mail Outreach, Fort Washington • Philadelphia Newsletter, Sponsorship, Website) – Briana Earle Continuing Education – Angelo Waters Humphrey Fund – John Zarsky Membership – Mohammed Elghawy Mural – Angelo Waters Nominating (for Board Positions) – Cathy Farrell Program (includes Meeting Check-in/Name HARRISBURG WAYNE PHILADELPHIA 3605 Vartan Way, 993 Old Eagle School Road, Two Penn Center Plaza, Tags and Venue Coordination) – Suite 202 Suite 408 1500 JFK Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17110 Wayne, PA 19087 Suite 1208 Angelo Waters 1.717.541.4001 1.610.293.0450 Philadelphia, PA 19102 1.215.636.0600 The HNTB Companies Society Relations (includes Legislative Affairs, Infrastructure Solutions PA Council and Region 2) – Cathy Farrell www.hntb.com Subsidiary Groups (includes Technical Groups/ Institutes and Younger Member Forum) – Kazi Hassan Spring Social – Troy Illig

I ON INFRASTRUCTURE Continued from Page 4 Allentown | Harrisburg | King of Prussia crossing gates started becoming evident and Philadelphia | Pittsburgh federal regulators insisted they be fixed before any more commuter rail lines using identical signaling technology went online in the metro area. The troubles with the gates have resulted in millions of dollars being spent on crossing-gate attendants to provide an extra layer of safety and have prevented quiet zones from being established. Noise complaints have been one of the most nettlesome issues RTD has had to confront, with trackside residents complaining that they lose sleep and are unable to enjoy dinner on their patios. The delays have prompted a lawsuit by RTD’s private-sector contractor on the project, Denver Transit Partners, against the transit agency and RTD in return threatening to end its 34-year contract with the consortium. Arvada Mayor Marc Williams, who has gotten urbanengineers.com an earful from city residents tired of waiting for 215.922.8080 ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS, SURVEYORS, & PLANNERS the G-Line to open, observed that he’s feeling www.pennoni.com more optimistic that the metro area’s commuter rail logjam may finally break with the submission of RTD’s action plan along with a letter from several members of Colorado’s congressional delegation urging a solution to the crossing-gate conundrum. Thanks to the Denver Post for this information.

www.villanova.edu/VUSP